Kaelan stood proudly in front of his upgraded shack. It was still made of wood, still looked like a glorified storage shed, but now it had a roof that didn't leak and a door that didn't creak like a haunted house. Progress.
The squirrel from before sat on the roof, munching a nut like it was popcorn, judging silently.
"Yeah, yeah. Laugh all you want, tree rat," Kaelan muttered.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
You have completed: 'Upgrade Shelter (Lv.1)'
Reward: +20 EXP, Blueprint: Basic Workshop
"Oh, finally. A workshop," Kaelan said. "That's… actually useful."
The blueprint appeared in his mind—simple enough. Just wood, stone, and a roof. He could probably slap it together if he didn't get distracted.
Too late.
"KAELAN!"
A voice echoed through the trees.
It was Garka, bounding toward him with a massive grin and two dead chickens in each hand. "I brought lunch!"
Kaelan blinked. "Why do I feel like that's not the weirdest thing I've seen this week?"
Garka looked proud. "They insulted me. Said I looked like a walking mushroom. So I challenged them."
"…To a duel?"
"No. I just chased them. They panicked and ran into a tree. I think one called me 'moss butt.'"
Kaelan held back a laugh. "That's fair. Your back is suspiciously mossy."
Garka raised an eyebrow. "Says the guy who hugged a tree for three hours yesterday."
"That was meditation!"
They laughed, the kind of laugh that made Kaelan feel… okay. Like, actually okay. Like this strange forest, this weirdo goblin, this sarcastic squirrel—maybe this was fine.
"Let's build that workshop next," Kaelan said.
Garka blinked. "What's a workshop?"
Kaelan pulled out the blueprint. "This. We make tools here. Maybe even weapons."
Garka leaned in. "Ooooh. So I can make a stick with more pointy?"
"Exactly."
For the next few hours, they gathered materials. Garka hauled logs like they were pillows. Kaelan tried lifting one and pulled something in his back.
Eventually, Kaelan gave up and used his system powers.
[SKILL ACTIVATED: Quick Construct Lv.1]
Progress: 20%... 50%... 100%...
The workshop appeared. Not flashy, but sturdy. A sign hung on the front:
"Kaelan & Garka's Totally Legal Workshop"
Kaelan stared. "Garka. Did you name it?"
Garka nodded. "Seemed honest."
"I'm 80% sure that makes us look more suspicious."
Inside, it was cozy. There was a crafting table, some shelves, and a weird chicken sitting in the corner.
"Garka…"
"Yeah?"
"Did you bring a live chicken in here?"
Garka looked guilty. "He said he wanted to help."
Kaelan stared. "...He talked to you?"
"No. I just assumed. He looked wise."
The chicken blinked slowly.
Kaelan sighed. "We're starting a village with a squirrel that hates me and a chicken that might be smarter than both of us."
"Don't forget the slime in the bucket."
"What slime in the—GARKA, THAT'S MY COOKING POT!"
Garka scooped up the wobbling slime and tossed it gently out the window. "Oops. Wrong bucket."
Kaelan took a breath. "Okay. Focus. Village."
They stood outside, staring at the flat land ahead. Trees, grass, potential.
"This place has nothing," Garka said.
Kaelan smiled. "Exactly. That means we can make anything."
[SYSTEM MAIN QUEST UNLOCKED]
Quest: Found a Village
Objective: Place first structure: Town Hall (0/1)
Reward: Territory Ownership, +100 EXP, Skill Upgrade
Garka gasped. "A village? Us?!"
Kaelan grinned. "Why not? I've been reincarnated with trash and mocked by gods. Might as well build something out of it."
The squirrel dropped its nut.
The chicken clucked in approval.
Kaelan raised a fist. "Let's start building a home—not just for us, but for anyone out here with nothing. A place for weirdos, loners, goblins, and possibly sentient poultry."
Garka sniffled. "I always wanted to be mayor."
"You can be co-mayor," Kaelan said, "but only if you promise not to name the next building 'Totally Not a Trap.'"
"No promises."
Kaelan sighed, but he was smiling.
For the first time in both lives, he had something to build—something that mattered.
And maybe, just maybe, he wouldn't be trash forever.